The Nomination: Morgan Burleigh is a Varsity cheerleader for her high school's football and basketball teams and is a member of the coed competition squad. She has an amazing ability to balance her busy cheer schedule with achieving the highest academic honors. Morgan believes no dream is too big to achieve!

Do you prefer competition cheer or cheering at games?I prefer competitive cheer. The crowd is much more engaged, and the anticipation of competing is exciting and intense. It's so much fun performing to music and showing off our elite stunting and tumbling abilities. Being on the mat for those 2 minutes and 30 seconds is an indescribable feeling. My coed squad just qualified for Nationals this February so to be able to represent my high school and perform on the nation’s most prestigious cheer stage is a dream come true.

With cheerleading mostly all-year round, how do you keep your grades up?The trick to keeping my grades up is time management. I am super organized and that has become a major asset to me as I balance my busy cheer schedule with taking multiple advanced and college level classes. I try to get as much homework and studying completed during free time at school, but if not, I do it as soon as I get home from school because most days, I have practice for 2-3 hours in the evening.

How does cheer interfere with your daily/social life?Cheer impacts my social life greatly. Between daily practices and cheering games, I am not home much, and I don’t have much free time during the week. I usually have one weekend night free to hang out with friends. However, I am blessed to have amazing friends who come to watch and support me at competitions.

Do you want to purse cheerleading after high-school?While I would absolutely love to cheer in college, I want to focus on a career and academic success in college.

What are some things that years of cheering had taught you?Cheerleading has taught me so many great things, but mostly dedication, hard work, competitiveness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. I use these qualities not only at cheer, but also in my everyday life. I have learned that when things get difficult, you can’t give up. You have to persevere and put in the extra work and effort. I’ve learned that things work best when teams pull together, and that praising others for their work and encouraging them is much more beneficial than criticizing others. The respect our squad has for each other allows our team to be successful in reaching our goals. Overall, the life skills I’ve learned from cheerleading define who I am and play a major role in my life every day.

Article and Images by Zoey Joseph​Pennsylvania

The world is a beautiful place, filled with space to create memories, have new experiences, and tell more stories. Most teens don’t normally have the chance to take everything the world can offer at such a young age. This summer, however, my closest friends and I were given a teen tour to see some of the world's most beautiful places and the colors that made them their own.

Top Image: Grand Canyon

Nothing is more breathtaking than the indescribable feeling of being free. The feeling of being on top of the world, the ruler of your own. That’s what it felt to stand on the high rocks, looking over the Grand Canyon. Never had I seen nature in a true form such as this. The caverns themselves, although a natural brown, showcased the trees and other plants, allowing nature to show her face, leaving us in the true presence of beauty. Everyone attempted to stall by taking a million pictures, arms spread out, leaning over the edge, breathing in the clean air. No one wanted to leave the peaceful bubble we were all enclosed in. Soon though, we had to, but not before grabbing a few many of the canyon before heading home!

Above Image: Red Rock Country

Blurs of pink spotted across my vision as we sped down the mountain looking over a small town in Sedona. The pink popped perfectly against the natural colors of brown and orange and matched the colorful town below us. Screams and shouts of joys echoed throughout the drive as we bounced around excited to reach our destination. The driver sped up as we reached a hill and giggles became cackles as we fell on top of each other in a pile at the back. The Pink Jeep tours were by far one of the most amazing things I had ever done. Not only did we get to experience the Red Rock Country while speeding down the Road of No Return, but we also were able to learn about the different environments and cultures that were embedded in the small town in Sedona.

Above Image: Lake Tahoe

“Don't let go!” was shouted again and again over the motor of the boat. The clear water became frothy as the boat bounced along in Lake Tahoe. The world spun around in circles becoming new mixes of blues and green that had never been witnessed before. The boat came to a stop as we lounged in the crystal-clear water. The lake was at least 60 feet deep, hiding its own little world, unaffected by our fun on top of it. It was the perfect way to wrap up the end of the tour. Looking out at the small peaceful beach in front of us, we knew we had finally seen it all.

What made you become so interested in motor cross?I have been going to the track with dad every weekend for as long as I can remember, and I always watched him and his friends ride. It is just something I grew up with.

What does it feel like being a girl doing something mostly boys do?There are differences between being a guy that races and being a girl that races, but I’ve never known any different. It just feels normal to me.

How young were you when you first learned how to ride and who taught you?It was my third birthday that I got my first dirt bike and Dad was the main person who taught me. But I get tips and support from many people, other riders, family and friends.

​Can you describe the feeling you get when you make high jumps? Is it fear, excitement?It’s different every time because you can be nervous to jump something the first time but once you do it, if you hit it right the feeling is really fun and exciting. But If you don’t hit it correctly, sometimes you can come up short or a little sideways, etc. and it can be a little scary.

What advice would you give young girls who are looking to pursue their motor cross dream?Go for it! Motocross may not be for everyone, but you’ll never know unless you try. You may fall in love with it like me and many other girls, or you may think it’s not for you. But I can assure you that if you don’t try it you’ll never know.

​Each year Valerie Ott Photography has a team of high school girls that get together for a great reason. We want to build confidence in these girls by showing them that they can be both beautiful on the inside and out.

We photography the girls in a "fantasy world" that we create. Each year it is a different world. This year, the world was about how delicate, but yet strong and beautiful, flowers are.

Before we started to photograph the girls, we asked them to pick an organization that was worth our time, effort and money. The girls would sell tickets to the fundraiser and all the proceeds would go to that organization.

This year we picked Cancer Families United. Kailyn was the one who suggested this organization because they helped her and her family during a really difficult time. The entire group of girls that it was an amazing effort and we are so proud that Kailyn suggested it.

At the fundraiser the girls got to see the image of themselves in this "fantasy world" for the first time with all their family and friends. The images were incredible, and the response was great. We raised over $2000 for CFU.

The Nomination:Jonathan Rossing has lived a life worth emulating. He will be attending the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh this fall to continue his academic career and to play baseball. During the summer after his freshman year and sophomore year of high school he decided to not play baseball at the level he should have to be recruited in college and to go serve in Malawi, Africa. This decision to put others first above himself and his potential college baseball career was an easy one for him. Though he didn’t get recruited at the D2 or higher level that he was capable of playing at, he did find and amazing college to play for this next year. He is one of the most humble people I know.

...

​It is hard at times to not worry and stress about how things will turn out. Going to Malawi and playing baseball are both big parts of my life. For me the opportunity to travel to Malawi, and further my walk with Christ far outweighed playing baseball. At those moments in your life it is hard to trust that he has your future figured out.

After hearing God’s call to go to Malawi I knew that was the right path for my life. This whole trip wouldn’t have happened for me if it wasn’t for my sister stepping out in her faith the year before. She accepted God’s initial call and followed his voice. It shows just how powerful a single step in your faith can be. Not only did she take that first step in her pursuit for Christ, but she then turned around and shared it with me. Because of my sister stepping out in her faith, she in turn helped God influence mine. Without Malawi, I would not be the same person I am today.

​I see the world in a different light, I am more appreciative of the things he blesses me with. You learn to especially appreciate small amenities like a bathroom and running water. Going into the trip I felt like I was going to be there to help them, which at times I was able to, but they taught me more than I could have ever imagined. What you need to know is that God has a mission field for everyone, not everyone’s mission field is half way across the world in Malawi.

Some people’s mission fields are in their backyards, some across the world. Listening to God’s voice in your life and taking advantage of opportunities to spread the good word are where God will grow you the most. At the time of deciding that I would go to Malawi I thought I would have to give up playing baseball in college.

But that wasn’t God’s plan for my life, he has blessed me with the opportunity to play baseball for the next four years as well. Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Listening for God’s voice and seeking him out will help you grow beyond what you could imagine. I hope that someday I can return to Malawi and see them all again. They influenced me in a way that will forever shape me into the person I am today.

Images and Article by Sierra ZaccagninoPennsylvania

​In today’s world, not many people take the time to visit or even learn about some of our Earth’s natural lands. A great way to view our planet’s unrefined beauty is by going to national parks, which can be found all over America. Some of my personal favorite parks happen to be out West, more specifically in Utah.

If you ever hear someone mention Utah, not much probably comes to mind. A lot of the more mid-western states tend to be easily forgotten in the minds of those Americans who live in big cities or suburbs on the coasts. But for those who have traveled to Utah or surrounding states, they know and have experienced the untouched grounds that showcase Earth’s fascinating formations.

Bryce Canyon National Park is found in Southern Utah and had a total of about 2.6 million visitors over the course of last year. It is typically distinguished by its spire-shaped rock formations that are referred to as “hoodoos”. Although hoodoos are seen in other parts of the world, they are the most abundant in Bryce Canyon. They are extremely old; approximately thirty to forty million years ago they were created in an ancient lake in Utah. But what makes these formations even more interesting is their crimson color. This color creates a vast field of red and orange hues and allows Bryce Canyon to sometimes be referred to as “Mars on Earth”.​With my teen tour, I was able to hike over eight miles through Bryce Canyon! Although it was a lot of hard work, I am so glad I made it all the way through. The beginning of our hike was filled with winding and narrow paths through strange formations and hoodoos, while the end of our hike contained more of an upward trek through ancient cliffs and steep hills. It was probably some of the greatest exercise I had ever completed at a national park, and also some of the most amazing photographic and scenic points I have ever seen!

The Nomination: When he was 12 years old he told his mother and I that all he wanted to do for the rest of his life was act, sing and dance. For the last two winters and now the end of summer through December he has been and will be in Los Angeles chasing his dream. The determination to march to the beat of his own drum and chart his own path no matter what anyone may say about it is truly an inspiration.

How and when did you first become interested in performing? I was about six, and I saw High School Musical for the first time. I remember thinking I would love to do that. I have Zac Efron to thank for this.

What has been the biggest challenge in pursuing your dreams? In the beginning it was location, I am originally from Mississippi.

How have you worked to overcome any challenges? I now spend a lot of the year in LA so location isn’t as much of a challenge.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone else who wants to follow his or her own dream and branch out? Most of the time we all feel like we must be like everyone else. We must fit in and do what everyone else is doing. People like to put us in boxes, and the bet piece of advice I can give anyone is to believe that there is no box. We were all made different and we must be who we were born to be otherwise we are just existing and not living.

What on your resume are you most proud of? I have had some amazing people help me and coach me along this journey. The team that I have around me now is what I am most proud. They are as committed to my success as I am.

What is hands down the most exciting experience you have in LA so far? I got to spend three nights on the set of American Ninja Warrior when it filmed at Universal Studios. I got to meet most of the Ninjas which was amazing since I am a huge fan of the show.

​The Nomination: Alethea is the daughter of friends of ours... we've known her since she was a little girl, but we’ve grown closer with her and gotten to know her much better since she was added to our MAC MOD SQUAD a couple years ago.

Alethea has struggled through the years to find her place and her voice in this world, but through that struggle she has grown stronger and has shown to be massively intelligent for her age. When times were at their worst, she still put her best foot forward and followed her road to where she is today. She is one of the most open hearted and TRULY accepting teens I have ever come across. She speaks out frequently about bullying, and self-image... encouraging other girls to not be ashamed about their bodies, but to embrace themselves and be proud, which is so needed in society today.

Her mother put it perfectly when posting some of her senior pics on her Insta...."She’s an individual blazing her own path in this world.”

This year she was inducted as the President of Herron High School’s National Honor Society, at the top 5% of her class in a school that is the top 1% of the country. She also performed for a room full of respected professionals in the city in a one woman show that she wrote, directed, choreographed AND performed by herself- for an internship that she co-created for herself.

1. What are some ways a person can enhance their confidence during their teen years?

Being a teenager can get hard sometimes, we all know it, but our teen years get so much better as we gain more and more confidence in ourselves. The end goal is to love yourself no matter what other people think of you... but it’s a lot easier to say that than it is to do it. I was lucky enough to find this confidence by joining my local youth theatre where I learned how to step out of my comfort zone, fall flat on my face, and get back up again. This isn’t the route for everyone (although you don’t have to be an actor to learn from a theatre class), but I did learn a few universal tips and tricks along the way: 1. Remember that no person is worth any more or less than you are 2. Free yourself from labels, you can be on the cheer squad AND in robotics club 3. Don’t TRY to be popular, you’re cool no matter your social status 4. Stop counting your likes and followers, you are SO MUCH MORE than your social media!

3. What would you wish you would’ve known when you were younger? ​I would tell younger Alethea that it’s okay to not always fit in, and not to always have my best friend beside me. I had a rough time in middle school, and the beginning of high school. I didn’t know who I was or who I wanted to be. I spent lunches sitting on the bathroom floor because I was too scared to try and find a place to sit in the cafeteria. Since then, I have learned to be myself, and love myself no matter what!

4. What is the best advice you can give another teen girl reading this?

I think that the most important thing I have taken away from my 4 years in high school is that all the drama and hurt feelings aren’t worth it. Instead of pouring all your time and energy into social media or gossip, spend time reading an awesome book or creating a beautiful painting or practicing your free throw shot. You have been given this priceless experience to learn about whatever you want, so take advantage of it while you can!!

Article and artwork by Karlene KeeganPennsylvania

Why do leaves change color in the fall? One thing that defines fall is the changing colors in the leaves, from green to red to yellow to orange to brown. The reason leaves change color is because chlorophyll breaks down. Chlorophyll is a green pigment in all green plants (this pretty much means it makes the plants green). In the fall the tree stops its food making process due to the temperature and the length of daylight. The chlorophyll in the leaf breaks down so the green color disappears. Since the green pigment is gone, the orange, yellow, and red colors become visible. Also, trees end up losing their leaves because when winter starts to come, the trees lose a lot of water. So when the winter comes, the trees are no longer able to get enough water to replace it. Also, the leaves fall (or are pushed) off of the trees so that the tree can survive the winter with less water, and grow more leaves in the spring. The dry leaves fall from the tree to breakdown and fertilize the soil for healthy plants in the spring. Leaves are not only food for trees, but they offer shade, beauty, and fun times in the fall. :)

The Nomination: Julia is a junior at a small private school in central Pennsylvania. She is an asset to her soccer and basketball teams and was awarded most improved her sophomore year of basketball. She brings such a positive attitude to her teams and is constantly encouraging every girl. She never has a bad attitude. She shines on stage as well, singing and acting. Julia had held the lead in her High School's spring musical in her freshman year where she got nominated for best actress in a leading role in the area. Her sophomore year, she was the supporting female actress in the show and was also nominated for best actress in a supporting role. Julia is constantly a great example to whoever is watching her and is an amazing person.

1. What sparked your interest in all the activities you partake in and what’s your particular favorite?I play soccer and basketball for my school. It has taught me to work with others and to always encourage my teammates. I’ve learned to have a positive outlook no matter the outcomes. I also participate in our school’s theatre program along with our ensemble team. I have such a passion for acting and singing and hope to make that passion into a reality. I enjoy the work it takes before performing on stage and getting to perform with all my friends.

2. When did you begin musical theater and what was your favorite role portrayed?I’ve performed in musical theatre all my life. My favorite role I’ve ever portrayed was Fiona from the musical, Brigadoon. That was my first leading role I had ever gotten because I was afraid of trying to go for it. It was a challenge, but it gave me a new outlook for theatre.

3. Tell me a little bit about the nominations you have received through theater.My freshman year, I was nominated for an Isaac portraying Fiona in Brigadoon and then again, my sophomore year portraying Grace Farrell in Annie. Although I didn’t win, it was an honor to be nominated. It blew my mind that I was competing with other amazing female actresses that were talented.

4. How are you able to balance your time amongst school, sports, and theater while keeping organized?When it comes to school work/homework, I find it helpful to work on homework any break I get. Whether that’s during play practice or after a soccer game, you’ll find me working on it. I have the mindset of getting things done. However, I do turn out staying up late trying to cram in homework at times which can be tiring, but I remind myself that it will be worth it when I’m finished.

5. As a junior, what are your goals for your last two years of high school and why?Some goals of mine are to keep a high GPA to get into a good college one day (Penn State hopefully). To always progress at whatever I do whether that’s soccer, basketball, singing, or acting. To always keep encouraging people having a positive mindset. Most of all, to grow a stronger relationship with God.

6. What do you hope to be as your future profession?My plans for the future are to go to college at, possibly, Penn State in State College majoring in theatre with a minor in business. I hope to one day perform on Broadway or act in films. That sounds like a big dream, but I believe in myself and that it’s definitely possible if I work hard for it.

The Nomination: Grace is inspiring because she pushes people out of their comfort zone. Grace is welcoming to every person she comes in contact with and refuses to accept the norms of teen culture and cliques. She volunteers at our local coffee shop, fresh grounds, where she spends intentional time connecting with each person she sees on the other side of the coffee bar. ​

From Grace: "I have been going to the coffee shop since I moved to town when I was 7 and I loved just being there, so I thought well I'm here all the time might as well make myself useful.

Volunteering at Fresh Grounds is just so much fun between making smoothies to working with people that become family to greeting everyone at the register to just having a nice conversation and engaging with the people across the bar.

My main goal in life is to change/make an impact on people's lives and volunteering at Fresh Grounds is one way I am achieving that goal.​My advice for people who want to start volunteering at local places is to always remember why you started and what you love most about it. Always remember the people you meet (especially at a coffee shop so if they say the usual you're not slowly panicking). Finally, always keep a big smile on your face!"

Interview with Larissa Chelius | Submitted by Laura Kercher Nomination & Photography by Betsy Snyder of Simply Time Photography New York

​The Nomination: Laura is an amazing athlete and loves everything there is to love about playing soccer. She moved to the US from Germany when her father took a job in Upstate NY. She is one of the most upbeat, enthusiastic girls you will ever meet, and you can't help but smile and have a great time when you are around her! She is fluent in both German and English and has excelled in everything she has done from Soccer, to Academics, to Acting etc.

​Everyone experiences events at one time or another that significantly impact the course of their lives and I am no different than anyone else in that aspect. When I was 7 years old my family and I moved from Germany to the United States. This adventure helped me to realize that any obstacle can be overcome when you have your family to back you up. Moving to the United States and having to adapt to a new culture has also taught me the value of being more open minded in both my thoughts and experiences. It has also helped me to recognize that love has no boundaries, and no matter how far away you are from your extended family they will always be there to support you. Moving to the States has shown me that family is not only limited to the people that you are blood related to. You build a family by forging bonds with the people that surround and love you. Through this, my family and I have found a second family that we call “Our American Family.”

​When you are part of a German family it is not difficult to fall in love with soccer. As an inherent part of my culture, it was something that I was always surrounded by and effortlessly developed a passion for. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with playing the sport, and I was even lucky enough to play in college. Soccer is something that will always be a part of my life, whether or not I am an active player.Simultaneously to my soccer career, I was introduced to acting around the age of 14 by my chorus teacher. Through her, I became involved with the drama club at my High School, which became another hobby that I grew to love and pursued through my 4 years of High School.

​My aspirations for the future also include pursuing a career as a Dental Hygienist. I have been fascinated by everything revolving around teeth since the 6th grade when I got my braces. In addition to my career goals, I want to become an amazing mother. Just as my mom always has been to my brother and I, I hope to one day be as incredible of a mother as she is. One important lesson that my family has taught me is that work and money isn’t everything in life. At the end of the day, family is always there for you and collecting paychecks and experiences means nothing without having people you love to share it with. Besides, I think being a soccer mom would also be pretty cool, not going to lie!

Interview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination and Photography by Connie Etter ​Photography​Indiana

The Nomination:Where shall I start with this beauty? She's beautiful, intelligent and talented!Taylor attends Cardinal Ritter High School in Indiana. She has been on a travel softball team for the "Indiana Gators" for 9 years and is also a pitcher on her high school softball team.Taylor has a GPA of 4.340 and will be attending Denison University where she will be playing softball and will be pursuing a career in dermatology.In her spare time she is the President of Riley Dance Marathon for children, leader of Service Learning (a community service club, Student Ambassador and is on the National Honor Society.

Her Story:​Softball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always loved the game and everything that has come with it – from the people that I have met along the way, the coaches who have taught and inspired me, and the opportunities that I have been given. At around eight years old I was beginning to start fastpitch softball and I loved the idea of being a pitcher. Looking back now, I would not have it any other way.

Halfway through the season of joining my first travel softball team, my coaches told my parents and I that I should stop playing softball and find a new sport to play. From this moment, I have been driven and inspired to be the absolute best player that I can be. Being a pitcher is so amazing because you have control of the game. You can decide how fast or slow you want the game to go, and great responsibility relies upon you. It is not easy to be a pitcher, or a good one in that sense, so the challenge and learning new pitches is one of the greatest aspects of the game.

For my future plans, I will be attending Denison University in Granville, Ohio where I will be continuing both my academic and softball career. Playing sports has been a major part of my life, but my academics have always come first. Even from a young age, I have always taken pride in my education. I strive to do my best in all things in the classroom, while also being an elite level athlete.

Doing so requires great balance, which I have learned to do over time. Being an elite level athlete demands continual practice, position lessons, and dedication. Maintaining a 4.3 cumulative grade point average with such high demands involves long dedicated days. I believe that being able to compete at such a high level in both the classroom and on the field is what makes me so inspiring.

My favorite non-profit organization is Riley Dance Marathon. I have been a part of this club at my school for the past three years, and now I have the wonderful opportunity to be the president of this club. Every year we have surpassed our goals and raised thousands of dollars for Riley Children’s Hospital.

​When it comes to classes, my favorites have been anatomy, AP calculus, and organic chemistry. They were all difficult, which made every day a challenge. I have taken as many honors, advance placement, and dual-credit classes that I could while being in high school. Because my grades are so important, I make it a priority to excel in those classes, thus resulting in a very high grade point average.

The Nomination: Elizabeth is an avid gymnast and competes at a very high level. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but she has not let her stop her at all. She still competes and coaches little kids every day. Her strength and perseverance amaze me. She never complains yet keeps inspiring all the younger kids at the gym to be all they can be.

​Her Story:In February of 2018, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It all began when I got home from Arizona. I started to drink so much water and going to the bathroom every hour. It was very annoying. I let it go for a bit hoping it would go away. That was not the case. I actually started to get worse. One day, I walked into practice not feeling the greatest. I was dizzy and just feeling sick. I texted my dad telling him how I was feeling, and he called the doctor and got me an appointment later that day. When I got to the doctors and she checked me out, she said that there was nothing wrong with me. I knew there was something wrong and so did my mom. My mom told the doctor that there was something wrong and that this wasn’t me. That’s when the doctor ordered me to go get blood work done the next day.

The next day came and I got my blood work done. We waited awhile for the results and then my dad got a call from the doctors. They said that I need to go to the hospital. I was terrified because I had no idea what was going on. When we got to the hospital, the nurses took my blood sugar and I was at 400! Keep in mind that the normal is between 100 and 120. 20 minutes passed and without eating or drinking anything, I jumped up to 600!! I knew that I was in danger. Couple hours passed, and a doctor came in and told me that I have type 1 diabetes. I was very upset because I’m healthy and active and I never thought I would become a diabetic.

Night time started to fall, and I was transferred to Children Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). I was there for three days learning and getting treatment. I was released Saturday afternoon and ever since, I’ve been on my own. It’s been tough at times, but things are getting easier. With the support of friends and family, I’ve been thinking positive. I am not going to let this affect my life. I am going to live life to the fullest. Yes, I’m insulin dependent but, I’m not going to let that stand in my way. ❤️ #T1D

​Her Interview:

How old were you when you decided you wanted to become a gymnast and what caused you to become interested in the sport?I started gymnastics in 2007 in beginner classes and quickly advanced to competitive team. I started the sport because I was very energetic and always upside down. I also loved watching Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin during the 2008 Summer Olympics, which made more interested in gymnastics. Today, I am a competitive level 10 gymnast, which was always one of my goals.

Tell me a little bit about how you were able to overcome the challenges you were faced in order to keep doing what you love, gymnastics.I have faced many challenges during my gymnastics career. Injuries were always the hardest to overcome. The first injury I had to overcome was a dislocated elbow. It was tough because I had to sit out for a couple months and watch my other teammates do what I wanted to do. But I knew that if I let my body heal correctly, then I would come back into the sport stronger and better than ever. After that injury, I had many more, but they were all minor and only required a little bit of time to heal. Of course, becoming a Type 1 diabetic was another tough challenge I had to overcome during gymnastics. It was very tough in the beginning with figuring out how to control my blood sugars during practice. With the help of my coaches, teammates, family, and endocrinologist it got easier as time went by and all it required was an easy, little change in my daily routine at the gym.

As a diabetic who is on the younger side and still manages to have a full schedule of mainly athletic activities, is there any advice or experiences you would like to share with readers who might be facing similar challenges?My advice to anyone who might be facing similar challenges is to not let your challenge bring you down and stop you from doing what you want to do. If times get tough, reach out to someone like I did, which helped a lot. I reached out to Paris Phillips, who is a college gymnast and also has Type 1 Diabetes, to ask her questions about Type 1 Diabetes and the sport of Gymnastics. Reaching out to her made me aware and positive that I am not the only one out their living with this disease and is an athlete.

What is your main motivator when competing? Would you like to continue competing after high school?My main motivation during competitions is just to go out onto the competition floor and have fun. I learned that if you don’t have fun, then the competition won’t go your way. You just need to stay positive and act like it is just practice. My goal was to continue with gymnastics after high school, but instead I am going to start a new journey with Acrobatics and Tumbling. I will miss gymnastics, but it is similar to gymnastics with the tumbling, but it’s also very different from it. I am very excited to start this new journey in 2019.

I think it is so cool that you get to coach little kids as well as learn on your own. How would you describe what it is like to know you are helping all those kids become amazing gymnasts like yourself?It feels amazing to know that I am helping little gymnasts to achieve their goal and they are looking up to me. I have always looked up to the older girls that have moved on in their careers and know these girls feel the same with me. Coaching them always gives me flashbacks to when I was their age and that I was exactly in their shoes. I hope that with my help, they can make their way up to where I am at to this day and live their dreams.

The Nomination: "Jasmine is someone who I think will achieve every goal in her life because she puts effort into what she wants. Hard working teens are not easy to find, but it is obvious that Jasmine works hard in school and in life. I will be excited to see what she accomplishes and where she goes because I believe she will do great things" -Valerie (photographer)"Jasmine is the most hard-working, dedicated, and inspirational person I know. She is talented in so many ways I cannot even fathom how lucky I am to have her as my daughter. I admire her passion for learning and exceeding others’ expectations even in times of struggle. Jasmine is so emotionally strong; she is my shoulder to cry on and is always there for anyone who needs her. She never takes the easy way out in tough situations, but instead chooses to grow and learn from challenges. Her heart is pure, her laugh is contagious, and her drive is unreal. She is courageous, witty, and honest; she is my best friend." -Aman (Jasmine's mom)

​Can you provide us with some information about yourself?I’m a senior at Kalamazoo Christian High School and I’m also dual-enrolled at Western Michigan University. I was class president for 3 years and vice-president for 1 year. I am 1 of 2 National Honors Society Officers elected from my class. I am the captain of my school’s varsity quiz bowl team, TEAMS (tests of engineering, aptitude, mathematics, and science) team, and I am a co-captain of the varsity tennis team. I’m also editor of the yearbook and I have started my own tutoring business. In my free time I volunteer for the American Red Cross, Bronson Hospital, and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

What are your talents and interests?I am infatuated with math and science and all the possibilities for future discoveries in medicine specifically. When I’m older I would like to become a pediatric oncologist and help children get through the ups and downs of cancer because they deserve to figure out who they are and help shape the world just like the rest of us. I can’t wait until the day I help my first patient become cancer-free so that I can see the smiles on their parents’ faces as they hug their child after hearing the good news. I also like to draw and paint but unfortunately, I’m not very gifted in those areas. Sports aren’t really my thing, but I joined the tennis team sophomore year and ended up loving it. I’m so excited for the season to start in the spring because some of my greatest memories are of me and my partner Kylee playing together.

What has motivated you to work so hard in school?My dad is my biggest fan and he is one of the main reasons why I push myself to become a better person. He’s always wanted me to be the best I can. My competitive side is fueled by his high expectations for me and although at first it was a lot of pressure, now I get excited to work hard and impress both him and I. I love to work hard and see the results; you could say that I’m addicted to it! It was said that you “she doesn’t take the easy way out but instead chooses to grow and learn from challenges”

How has this benefited you? What have you learned from this?In my opinion, there’s no point to taking the easy way out because to me, that’s just living life passively. I’ve learned so much about myself by taking on challenges that I wouldn’t have otherwise known if I had just let life do its thing. The world around us is meant to be shaped and molded by our experiences not watched from a distance. One of my biggest challenges is my arthritis and understanding how to deal with it instead of just letting it control me and tell me what I can and can’t do. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that there is a reason that I’m where I am, not to avoid problems but to deal with them. Coal is coal unless you work on it and when you do, it becomes a diamond.

Images by Kari Jim​Eastern Pennsylvania

You can get a sphere on Amazon for about $10-$16. They’re a lot of fun to experiment with to get some cool effects. Here are some things to try:1. Keep the ball eye level to get the best effect. You can lay it on a flat surface, like the sand, or hold it (or have a friend hold it).2. Play around with your depth of field to get either what’s in the ball in focus or what’s in the background in focus.3. They come in different sizes, so if you get a chance to try out a bigger vs smaller one, it’s neat to see how the effects vary.4.) Try it out with different lenses on your camera too. A long lens is going to show different effects than a shorter lens.5. Have fun and don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first!​

The Nomination: “Chailie is kind, disciplined, friendly, and funny. Her favorite quote is "Don’t let anyone treat you like free salsa. You are guac, baby girl, guac!"She's a pleasure to be around and super busy with her academics, leadership roles, and her sport of twirling. She's currently the National Honor Society President at Founders Classical Academy and is their current Feature Twirler.Chailie has won many a local, regional, and state titles in the sport of baton twirling. She is 2017 National Intermediate Champion in X Strut ages 13-15. She also represented Lightwire Theater in the windows of Neiman Marcus for the holiday season in the lead role for Dec of 2018. She is looking at a business or meteorology major as well as representing her University or college in the sport of baton twirling.”​

​

1. How did you first become interested in twirling?I was watching the Miss America competition on TV and I saw a baton twirler. I was fascinated by her gracefulness, and fluidity. I told my mom that I wanted to be a twirler when I grew up because I wanted to wear a sparkly costume. A few months later my mom started teaching me to twirl and the rest is history.

2. What have you learned by being the National Honor Society President at Founders Classical Academy?My National Honor Society chapter is mostly student run. I have learned to communicate clearly with my advisor and the other students to avoid confusion. I have learned to make decisions that meet the overall needs of the school. My main goal for this year is to continue to build school pride within the National Honor Society.

3. How do you manage academics and twirling?I try to focus on how I can take advantage of any free moment I have to get homework done. I have a study hall during school which helps me get ahead. I go straight to the gym after school to practice. I will occasionally have to stay up later than I should to finish all my homework, but academics always come first. The best way to maintain a healthy balance is to avoid wasting time.

4. Has twirling changed your life in any way? I was very shy and introverted before I started twirling. I could barely order my food in a restaurant because I did not like talking to strangers. I was forced to become extroverted because I traveled and met new people from all over the country. One part of twirling competitions is interview. Once I started interview training, I was not afraid to speak in public anymore. Learning to start conversations or answer questions from adults started to become easier with practice. I'm very grateful that my twirling coach guided me and pushed me to become outgoing.

5. How were you introduced to Lightwire Theater and how did performing the lead role effect you?Lightwire Theater was a gift. My mom worked for the manager and producer of Lightwire Theater. They held open auditions for the roles. I got the part based on not only my size, but I was also able to operate and hold my costumes complicated system. I really enjoyed watching young children become captivated by the magic of the story we told. I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to experience something so unique.

6. What is your plan to become a business woman or a meteorologist?​I have always been fascinated with weather, especially tornadoes. I do not run into the storm closet; instead I run outside to try and catch a glimpse of the funnel forming in the sky. I want to pursue a career in broadcast meteorology. I also like business. I worked as a sales consultant at a tanning salon over the summer. I love the rush of making a sale and helping people feel good about what they are buying. My goal in the business world is to open my own business.​

The Nomination: Justin is a great guy loves to travel has been in sports all his life. In middle school he decided to take on only basketball and has had many achievements from it. He was a sectional champion this year and received MVP and many other awards. He's starting to teach himself guitar and just started at IUN for business with a basketball scholarship. Anything he puts his mind to he does with his whole heart ​

What are your favorite places to travel to with your friends/family? My favorite place to travel with my family is probably Texas because then we’re surrounded by more family that live down there.

Tell me a little bit about receiving the MVP award for basketball.Receiving the MVP award was awesome for me, because my dream growing up was to be good enough to earn something that big.

If you weren’t playing basketball, what other sport would you want to progress in?If I wasn’t playing basketball I would probably look to excel in body building because I love working out and lifting weights.

What are 2 pieces of advice that you would give to a beginning basketball player wanting to play in the NBA one day?Advice I’d give to someone just starting out is, work really hard and set goals, don’t give up if you’re struggling because pushing through the frustration will lead you to your goal.

What are your plans for after you graduate college?After I graduate college I’m going to start looking for a full time job that relates to my diploma.

Nomination & Photography by Lisa Adams of Kustom Dezigns Photography

Lisa’s Nomination: These girls are so kind and selfless. They are all involved in sports as well as other clubs and organizations that keep them busy, yet they are always willing to help anywhere or anyone. I have LOVED getting to know all these girls and working with each and every one of them has been so much fun; especially when we have a stylized team shoot!​

Abigail Mason is a super spunky little cheerleader from Christian County HS who loves fall, the color pink and macaroni & cheese.

Allie Maternowski is involved in more things than one could image possible. She loves summer, cheeseburgers and most of all her cat, Patches.

Ashley Howard is very bubbly and outgoing, is on her the swim team at Hopkinsville HS, loves sunflowers & sweetarts and couldn’t live without her phone.

Katie Herrell is a fashionista for sure. She plays soccer and is in many school clubs. Her favorite food is spaghetti squash, she loves wildflowers and couldn’t live without nail polish!

Mauri Jenkins is the youngest of 5, and only girl, so she’s learned to hold her own; which I am sure helps her on the soccer field. She loves music, animals and skittles.

Sadie Edwards is on her school dance team and is in lots of clubs, which she holds offices in several of them. Sadie loves fall, the color red and couldn’t live without coffee.

Taylor Blakeley is in several school clubs and is on the dance team at Christian County HS. She loves country music, fall, and the Christmas!

The Nomination: Balancing school, friends, and extracurricular activities can be difficult for any 14-year-old. But most 14-year-olds don’t also have a busy acting career, a published children’s book, and a full schedule of motivational speaking appearances, radio co-hosting along with radio & TV interviews.

Then again, Maya Jai isn’t like most 14-year-olds.

With over a dozen acting credits to her name, Maya Jai is a native Washingtonian and high-school freshman who has already made a name for herself across an impressive spectrum of media. Not only is Maya starring in an upcoming new TV series, “Dads Do It, Too,” and co-hosting the radio segment of “Voices of Our Teens “, but she also finds time to speak to children and adults alike about the importance of balancing work and play in their lives with her method of “Stop, Drop, Work, Then Play “.

Maya certainly has the experience to back up her words. On top of her busy professional schedule, she’s also maintains a high GPA. This talent and passion for achievement has led to Maya being featured in Washington Post Magazine, AFRO Newspaper, the WJLA TV news network, and as BMore Lifestyle’s ‘Go Girl of the Week’ in addition to a wide variety of other print, radio and TV segments.

Considering all this, it might be tempting to ask if there’s anything Maya can’t do. But with someone this accomplished at such a young age, there’s an even more fitting question.

What will she do next?

​

1. How did you become interested in acting? I started modeling in magazine ads at the age of 1. I played basketball, volley ball, lacrosse and softball but around 11 years old, when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to explore acting and film like my older sister and my mom.

2. How do you manage your time with all of your different activities?In addition to being a children's book author, I've always had a lot of extracurricular activities and I know that balancing a heavy schedule isn't always easy so, I came up with a solution that I call "Stop, Drop, Work, then Play". The method is a pretty easy one to remember;" Stop what you're doing", "Drop what you are doing" "Work on your assignment" Then you can Play or have leisure time. When I saw that some of my peers could use that method and I figured if you started developing that habit at a younger age it would become your first thought so, I incorporated my motto into my book Back Pack Lilly. The summary of the book is Back Pack Lilly teaches kids how to prioritize their studying and school work over extracurricular activities and playing.​

3. What advice would you give to others about getting involved in many different opportunities?If you're interested in getting involved do some research to make sure that it's really something that you want to try. You can pursue whatever opportunities your heart desires. Just remember that you have to develop a plan and with discipline and consistency you can make it work. Incorporate Stop, Drop, Work then Play in your daily routine and remember you should pace yourself and no matter how hard it gets, you can do it - just keep pushing and never give up!

4. How has radio-co-hosting impact you?Voices of our Teens (VOOT as we like to call it [smile]) has definitely inspired me to keep working harder towards my goals. It allows me to be expressive, creative and inspirational all of which helps me in the classroom, my motivational speaking and acting. I love being able to give teens a platform to speak from their hearts on the issues that’s impacting them negatively and positively. The host and I also give them advice on various ways to approach certain situations. The host Archie, is a great mentor and pushes me to better myself and to never give up.​

5. With all your different commitments how are you able to go out and do things with your friends?​ I have a schedule that I check daily and I always make sure my school work is done. Depending on the event that's coming up, I generally plan my activities around them. Yes, there are times that I might miss out on some things but prioritizing my schedule leaves me time for a healthy social life. Besides I have a fun family and group of friends (I like to prank them) so, we really don't miss a beat.​

The Nomination: Hannah was in a car accident last summer on her 16th birthday. The crash caused severe injuries, such as the "hangmans break", a c2 break, a brachial plexus injury, and multiple fractures in her lower back. There was a 6 hour surgery to fuse her spinal cord, They were not sure she would ever walk again.

But a year later, she is not only walking, she has made the Laverne High School Cheer Squad!

How did you react or feel when the doctors said you may not be able to walk again?I didn’t let it phase me. It motivated me more to keep pushing. I just continued to try to rebuild my strength until I was eventually back to myself! I was very active in sports in school. I was involved in basketball, softball, track, cross country, and cheer. Being so involved motivated me to get back to my normal active self again. Although I am unable to play basketball and softball, I am still able to run track and cross country and do cheer!!

What got you interested in cheer?I started cheering when I was little, my mom was the cheer coach, so I was always around it and just fell in love. I also love to bring school spirit to my school!

Did the accident change your point of view on safety while driving?It taught me to become more aware of my surroundings and to realize that it can happen to everyone and I need to be cautious.

What do you plan on doing after high school?I plan on attending OSU and taking pre med courses! I’m currently undecided on what I want to do as an occupation, but I definitely want to be in the medical field.

Do you ever tell your story to help motivate others to get through their own hard times?I love to share my testimony to others to encourage them to never give up! And regardless of their struggles it’s going to be okay. Have faith and stay positive. Believe in yourself.

I was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Growing up, I played a lot of sports and even more instruments (some of which I still play), but everything flew out the window when, on a family ski trip in 2015, I broke my back, paralyzing me from the waist down. To say the local hospitals didn't have much relevant experience, would be a gross understatement; I was told I was the fourth pediatric spinal cord injury in over 15 years... I was also told I would likely never walk again.

Soon, I found myself, and my parents, on a plane to the Shriners Hospitals for children - Philadelphia, where I would stay for an unknown amount of time. Here I worked and worked and worked, and despite this being a world hotspot for pediatric spinal cord injuries, I quickly distinguished myself as the hardest worker they had ever seen.

The medical team at Shriners were unsure what, if any, recovery I’d make but were willing to do as much as possible.

I pushed my recovery constantly, always asking for more therapy, always doing more than asked and always working.

I returned to Newfoundland late August 2015 (6 months later) with my parents and a vow never to touch a wheelchair again. Walking was tough - I could barely go 100 feet without a break - but the prospect of not walking was even tougher.

I went to the United Nations for a youth assembly in the summer of 2016, the first ever delegate from my province. There, I received a standing ovation after telling of my recovery to date.

In June 2018, just before I graduated from high school, I gave a TEDx talk, which also received a standing ovation.

I have had a few other speaking engagements at Husky Energy Canada, The Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, Shriners NL and more.

This year, I am taking a year to focus on my recovery and rehab. In addition to spending around 30+ hours a week training, both on my own and with my physiotherapist, I am a part of the paradigm hyperloop engineering team at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

How did you recover from this injury so far?

Well, here I was, a 14 year old kid, and I just woke up without a semblance of sensation or movement below my waist. Take this catastrophic situation and add the fact that the hospital back home had next to no experience with my type of injury and as you'd expect, you have a lot of guesswork to do.

I tried moving my legs one day: While nothing moved even the tiniest bit, I got this barely noticeable sensation as though some phantom limb, somewhere inside my legs, moved. Within all this Chaos, I suddenly had a glimmer of hope, something tangible to work with. Order.

I spent all my time trying to move my legs... When you really focus on a part of your body and let it take up every fragment of consciousness for long enough, you'd be surprised what you notice. I noticed so much I could have sworn I was going crazy, but then something worked. I got one of the muscles in my leg to move... And then came the battle of building muscle.

Within a month of unuse, my muscles degraded so much they were barely strong enough to twitch, let alone walk on. And strengthening a muscle too weak to even move, is no picnic.

At one point, I was rehospitalized for hypercalcemia. Spoiler alert: not fun. I could barely walk 50 feet, if you’d call it walking, and still used a wheelchair. Upon discharge though, I asked one of the nurses how never to get hypercalcemia again, half jokingly she said ‘walk more’... That was the last day I ever used a wheelchair… The best, and hardest undertaking of my life.

What was your time like at Shriners?

Shriners was incredible. From the moment we arrived, two weeks post-injury, we had a fully planned therapy program, several vital information packets nobody had even mentioned before, and seriously amazing food, via their world-class cafeteria (yeah, I'm not joking). They gave me 23 hours of therapy a week for the first two months at no cost, and pushed me almost as hard as I pushed myself; something no other hospital came close to. The resources, opportunities and home Shriners gave me was genuinely life changing, and without them, my recovery would have certainly looked a lot different.

What are you doing now?

I graduated high school in June, and am taking a year for rehab before university. I gave a Tedx talk just before graduation, which received a better reception than I ever dreamt, and have since been exploring the public speaking scene. I also work on the Paradigm Hyperloop engineering team at the university I’ll be attending.

My current physiotherapist is just as crazy as I am (albeit much more knowledgeable). With him I’ve been more driven and inspired than ever before. Recovery continues and nothing makes life meaningful like a challenge.

How did it get setup?TEDx (as opposed to TED) is independently hosted, so the speakers for the event I was a part of were all chosen via application. The production itself was the fruit of many many volunteers’ hard work, as well as the financial support from sponsors and grants.

Where exactly is it?A video of my talk can be found here: https://youtu.be/a_Qa9yGvxAMIn terms of where I had to go to give the talk, it was actually held at a local BMW dealership (since BMW was a sponsor). The place closed down that day and was reskinned specifically for TEDx. We (and by we I mean me) hinted that giving us a few BMWs would be totally acceptable, if they felt so inclined… I don't think they felt so inclined.How did you prepare for it?In preparation for the talk, I essentially had three tasks: Write, Memorize and Practice. Writing my talk was by far the hardest... TEDx had provided a speaking coach to help me prepare, and we brainstormed my talk for weeks, never really producing something we were happy with. Then, two weeks before the talk, my grandfather passed away and, not to be cliche, it sort of made me take things more seriously. I stopped nitpicking over every little detail and forced myself to just sit down and write until I had a finished talk. After several long days and late nights I had something I wasn't just satisfied with, but that I was proud of, and since I had just spent so much time in a short period working on it, the memorization was a breeze. Then came practicing. This was a completely foreign process to me, and I had very little time to do it. I presented it a few times in front of people or in front of a mirror, like everyone and their grandma says to do, but what really did the most for me was walking around my room and speaking it, or more accurately, whispering it to myself on repeat… The biggest thing I was told to work on was speaking louder, so in hindsight, the whispering probably played a role in that...Finally though, the night before the talk, my speaking coach picked me up and took me somewhere with the same layout as where the talk would be, and made me nail my presentation at least once before I was allowed to leave. That was so important, because it was then that we noticed several presentation flaws which could have thrown my whole talk, and promptly corrected then.What was it like that day?A sort of nervous calm came over me for most of the day which I wasn't expecting. I was taken aback by seeing how hard everyone involved in the production had worked, and a sort of confidence came over me that only grew as we got closer and closer to the talk. I remember just minutes before I was supposed to be on stage, being in a small room practicing my talk and tuning it to such a degree, that in my final practice run, I brought myself to tears no less than three times. I was slightly afraid of breaking into tears on stage (and on two occasions during my talk I had to pause because I almost did), but the old anecdote about public speaking, “make them laugh, then make them cry, then make them laugh again”, made me feel good about having all that emotion, not bad. Your heart always takes a leap when you see hundreds of people in a crowd all expectantly looking to you. I've spoken publicly about a dozen times now and that initial terror never fades from what I can tell. What does change isWhat advice do you have for other teens aspiring to be public speakers?My main piece of advice is to write - as a prerequisite. Everyone has innumerable interesting ideas, experiences and observations that they've picked up over the course of their life and that would be seriously beneficial to others. It's absurd though, how difficult it can be to articulate them properly if you've put no express effort into doing exactly that. Ideas are valuable, but fully formed ideas change the world. When you sit down with an idea and you write about it, you give it form, and when you have a couple of those fully formed ideas in your back pocket - with all the major angles considered, the reasoning sound and the contradictions nailed out - standing on a stage in front of a few hundred people is a picnic.Okay, so now you've figured this much out, you have something to talk about so now what? Well, this part is less difficult than it seems. Sure, huge companies aren't going to pay you $50,000 right off the bat to speak for them, but there's all sorts of speakers conventions and organizations and groups just about everywhere that would love to have you speak. It usually takes no more than a few Google searches or talking to 4 or 5 people who have a friend of a friend who knew a speaker to find opportunities like you wouldn't believe. Sometimes you need to just put yourself out there, apply to those things you think you have no shot at, reach out to those people you think may not even see your message, photo bomb the people doing a professional photoshoot at Peddler's Village (which how I got into this magazine) and you won't succeed every time, but the times you will are astonishingly more frequent than you'd think.

Interview by Ava Soloff

1: All your other historical fiction books are about royalty. Why did you decide to write about Eliza?A: I really like 18th century America, but it’s not a popular period for historical fiction in the publishing world. There’s been a perception for several years (since the Bicentennial ended!) that readers just weren’t interested in it. I've wanted to write this book for forever, and I first pitched the idea for a book about Eliza about eight years ago, but there was no interest. Then, when the musical came out and everything Hamilton-related became insanely popular, my editor contacted my agent and asked if I still had the proposal, and I finally got to write Eliza's story."

2: How long did it take you to write “I, Eliza Hamilton”, and what information was needed?A: "I wrote this book really fast because they wanted to get it out fast. I wrote it in a little over a year. When writing historical fiction, you need to bring the past to life. You need the little details, and because I was very familiar with 18th century America, I didn't need to do as much research for the everyday facts, like clothing, food, and transportation. I did, however, need to learn much more about Eliza and Alexander Hamilton. I tried to use as many primary sources as I could, especially the original letters from Alexander and Eliza, and I visited most of the surviving places and sites that they would have known. Fortunately, I had the help of many wonderful archivists and historians who made my research much easier.

3: What was the most difficult scene/ event you had to write about and why was it so difficult?A: "The Reynolds Pamphlet (a pamphlet that Hamilton himself wrote and published to explain his affair with Mariah Reynolds) because we have no idea today of how Eliza responded to learning about his infidelity. There are no surviving letters, journals, or diaries that document her reaction. All I could do was go by what other people at the time were writing. Although she didn’t leave Alexander, she must have been incredibly hurt - and angry - the moment those papers were spread to the public."

4: Did “Hamilton: An American Musical” inspire you at all while writing this?A: "Surprisingly, no. I kept my distance from it while I was writing, because I didn't want to be influenced by Mr. Miranda's interpretation of Alexander and Eliza. I listened to the music because I couldn’t help that, and it was very cool to have a book as a soundtrack. But as soon as I turned the book in, I bought tickets, and yes, it's amazing.

5: What's the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?A: "In most traditional history books - especially biographies of Alexander - Eliza is very much in the background. Some historians say she didn’t do much and was very quiet. So, for me, trying to find the real Eliza and to find out that she wasn't shy and that she spoke up. I don't think Hamilton would have accomplished nearly as much without her. I really think she helped him a lot, both as the sounding board for many of his most important papers and in life in general."

​6: What opportunities have you had since writing this book?A: "I, ELIZA is my fifty-fourth book, I have never had a book that has taken off like this one. This is a special book. Of course, I realize that it’s the musical that has made many readers pick it up. Usually, when you write a book, I do promotion on social media and book signings for a month, and then I start working on my next book. The interest in this book just keeps going, and now I’m forced to turn down opportunities to go places and speak because I must write. I will, however, be speaking about Eliza Hamilton, her clothes, and clothing worn by 18th century American women in an event at the Museum of the American Revolutionin February. It’s part of the museum’s new “Hamilton Was Here” exhibition, opening in October through March 2019. A seamstress trained in historical dressmaking will be recreating two gowns that Eliza might have worn, and they’ll be shown complete with all the 18th century accessories. Should be fun!

7: What are the challenges you have with writing historical fiction?A: "One of the biggest challenges comes with writing about historical figures – like Eliza – who have left few surviving letters, and there are big gaps in what they said or thought. As a fiction writer, I enjoy filling in those gaps, and see them as an opportunity to describe how the characters may have felt or how specific incidents affected their lives. Unlike a historian who can needs proof of everything they write, I can use my imagination to create the character’s world.

8: Why did you decide to start a blog?A: "I have two blogs, one with my friend and fellow-author Loretta Chase (www.twonerdyhistorygirls.com), and the one on my website (http://susanhollowayscott.com/blog). My blog with Loretta is about nine years old. Back then, blogging was still new, and our editors wanted us to blog to be closer to our readers. Loretta and I decided not to write one more blog about writing, but about the historical facts that we’d discovered in our research, things we found especially interesting. We were kind of shocked to see how many other people found them interesting, too, and we receive about 200,000-page views each month.

9: How did your degree in art history influence your writing?A: "I’m a visual person. I like to look at things. Art history incorporates many aspects, including architecture, fashion, and material culture in general. It all helps me imagine the past, and how and where my characters lived. I also almost always sneak a scene into every book that features a character sitting for her or his portrait with a (usually) famous artist because I can't help myself.​10: What are some tips you have for aspiring authors?A good tip is to look for the details. Remember that the character is telling the story and try to imagine everything through their eyes. You need to incorporate your research in an interesting way, especially when writing in first person as I do. Put yourself in their shoes.

In October, these teens volunteered to help photographersat the Marci & Christy Imagine 2 workshop in Indianapolis, Indiana.Hear what they had to say about their experience.​

​1.) Jacqui Long, 16: I loved volunteering to be a model for the workshop. Don’t get me wrong, Marci and Christy are amazing, but it’s always a great experience to work with new people and see the different techniques and personalities.

2.) Alexis Ervin, 18: The Imagine workshops aren’t just about getting a bunch of people together and taking pictures. It’s like a big family get together where we all enjoy one another, it’s amazing and so beautiful to be a part of. “I left being perfect for God, I’m just trying to be me.”

3.) Emily Raters, 18: Modeling for the workshop was great way to meet awesome photographers and have a great time. Whenever a photographer was telling me that I’m beautiful and amazing, it made me feel great. Volunteering was a good opportunity to focus on what I love, which is modeling. I came back to the second one because I had so much fun at MS: Imagine Vol 1!

4.) Jenna Underwood, 17: Volunteering the workshop was an amazing opportunity and experience. I loved meeting a variety of photographers from all over and seeing their different skills. I had to step out of my comfort zone when I spoke at the Senior Q&A Panel, but I am so glad that I did. I had so much fun & my confidence grew after this workshop with all of the other supportive models and photographers.

5.) Riley Leech, 18: It was an amazing experience to work with photographers from all over. I had so much fun at the last workshop in May so I was extremely excited to be given the chance to volunteer again. These workshops are not only fun for the photographers, but also give us a chance to meet new people and do different things! If I could do it again, I would in a heartbeat! Image by Chris Shabay Photography​6.) Lucy Frey, 17: I loved modeling for the workshop because I met a lot of fun photographers who were excited to work with us with their own ideas and methods. I learned a lot from the workshop that I know will help me in the future, like how to work my angles and do different poses.

7.) Alethea Harnish, 17: I loved being able to volunteer for the workshop because I learn right alongside the photographers. They were able to hear honest feedback from seniors, and we were able to learn new modeling techniques, since each photographer is different. I grew in my assertiveness, confidence and comfortability both in front of the camera and when interacting with adults in an unfamiliar environment.Image by Jolene Broad Photography

8.) Meredith King, 17: What I loved the best about volunteering was helping all the photographers. All the photographers and other models were inspiring, and I enjoyed every minute of it! Everyone was so talented and kind. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience for me.

9.) Reagan Long, 16: I loved meeting all the photographers at the workshop and hearing their stories. Modeling was truly amazing because I got to see so many different ideas and creative processes. I learned that even though they are taking pictures of the same girls in the same outfits in the same place, they all see something a little different in her and they capture it their own unique way.

10.) Chase Cornelius, 17: What I enjoyed so much about the workshop is inclusion. It was my first time going to a photo shoot, but I was treated as if I were a veteran. None of us were treated as if anyone were more attractive than someone else because the truth is everyone has something that is attractive about them. I came out of my shell to come to this workshop because I have never been confident on my look. I've never thought I was attractive, but the photographers and the other models showed me why I should love the way I look. After the workshop was over, I left my shell behind and I'm not going back.

11.) Rhianna Mast, 16: Volunteering was a great experience to be able to model for a workshop with Marci and Christy. It was excited getting to work with many different photographers and seeing the difference in techniques and personalities. It’s always a great time with Marci and Christy and #MACMSImagine was an amazing experience!

12.) Morgan Ballard, 18: I love working with photographers at all stages of their careers. Each photographer has their own unique perspective. What they can capture displays a different story than the photographers. It’s amazing to see each one of their unique styles.

13.) Cooper Thomas, 17: Volunteering made me feel like a star. I loved being in front of the camera and I loved how energetic the photographers were. I learn mostly how to just sit and be pretty.

14.) Sami Moylan, 16: Modeling is one of my favorite things to do! It’s the one thing that I can express myself in fully. Being around other models is just so amazing because we all love the same thing and we support each other! I'm so thankful for Marci and Christy for providing such an amazing environment where I can just be myself and do the thing I love!

15.) Kacy Clegg, 18: Growing up, I never had much confidence; I would look at other girls and compare myself to their beauty. But this past year, being a part of the MAC Mod Squad has opened my eyes. I was given the chance to do something beautiful; I got to volunteer with so many amazing models and photographers for MS: Imagine Vol 2! Everyone was so welcoming and kind. I will never forget this experience that I was so lucky to have.